ST PETERSBURG, Russia, June 5 – An entertainment venue in St. Petersburg, Russia has given one of its attractions the same name as a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile that Moscow has launched three times against Ukraine – the “Oreshnik.”
The rocket-shaped ride sends guests soaring upward before sending them plummeting in sudden drops that leave stomachs churning.
The naming choice has drawn criticism from some park guests.
“I don’t think it fits. The best name for it would be ‘Rocket’… I don’t understand what it’s got to do with the Oreshnik – who came up with that name?” one woman said.
Another visitor at the park on Friday shared his concerns with Reuters: “A children’s attraction should have a children’s name, that’s my personal opinion.”
The Oreshnik missile – which Russia initially launched against Ukraine in 2024, with the most recent firing occurring last month – can travel distances exceeding 5,000 km (3,100 miles). President Vladimir Putin has claimed the weapon cannot be intercepted, though Western experts have challenged this claim.
During a Thursday press conference, Putin revealed to reporters that Russia has not deployed the Oreshnik against Ukraine under actual combat circumstances, but has only conducted tests to study the outcomes. He indicated these test results would guide Moscow’s future decisions regarding full-scale deployment of the weapon, potentially targeting urban areas.
